Mental Health Month activities at APA Practice Directorate

Public Education blog party, Facebook chats among events planned

By Public Relations Staff

May 12, 2011—As part of a slate of activities in recognition of Mental Health Month, bloggers are helping APA raise awareness about mental health issues. Congress designated May as Mental Health Month in 1949 to illustrate the importance of mental health issues to the overall health and well-being of American citizens.

This year, psychologists writing for APA’s public education blog, Your Mind Your Body, have invited bloggers to share their thoughts, tips and personal experiences on topics related to mental health and emotional wellness on May 18. Writers are encouraged to blog about mental health topics and display APA’s “I’m Blogging for Mental Health” graphic. More information is available on the blog party page.

Last year, bloggers around the country contributed posts for APA’s first Mental Health Blog Day Party, a virtual commemoration of Mental Health Month that united bloggers on a single topic. Psychologists and other writers with blogs wrote about depression, migraines and other topics to help fight stigma associated with mental illness.

In addition, APA is hosting a series of Facebook chats this month in which psychologists will address a single issue and answer questions posed to them:

On May 11 at 1pm, Lynn Bufka, PhD, assistant executive director for practice, research and policy in the APA Practice Directorate answered questions live about anxiety.

APA Executive Director for Professional Practice, Katherine C. Nordal, PhD, will lead a chat on May 26 at 1pm EST about how friends and family members can support loved ones in efforts to improve their mental health.

David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, assistant executive director of marketing and business development in the APA Practice Directorate, will lead a chat on workplace stress on June 9 at 1pm EST.